"I'm going to be asked to do things I wasn't asked to do last year but I'm ready for that."

The natural evolution of Darius Hamilton continues. He came to Rutgers as a highly acclaimed recruit then was a part-time player as a true freshman last season.

Now, he will be a more visible presence on the defensive line and in the defense. For Kyle Flood there is no bigger difference from one year to the next.

"I think the difference for Darius this year as opposed to last year is this year he's going to be one of the focal points of our defense, not one of the complementary parts of our defense," Flood said.

Last year, he apprenticed behind Scott Vallone. This season the starting role is his own. He said that there is no difference in what is being asked of him at defensive tackle from what he did at Don Bosco -- one of the reasons he came to Rutgers. And he is heaping on a leadership role on himself as well.

"Second time around, I'd like to think easier," Hamilton said. "I got a bigger responsibility but it's been a lot easier."

"I think my role obviously has gotten bigger. I'm going to be asked to do things I wasn't asked to do last year but I'm ready for that."

In addition to his increased playing time, Hamilton is also trying to become more of a mentor -- with guys like Sebastian Joseph, among others, he said. And he is trying to become Ike Holmes' "righthand man" as Holmes was with Vallone last season.

It all spells for a different kind of season for Hamilton.

"When you're not relied on to play 40-50 plays a game it is a little bit different," Flood said. "And this year Darius Hamilton is going to carry the bulk of those snaps. And there's no doubt in mind he can do that."

* * *

Chris Laviano played Derek Carr on the scout team today. Friday it will be Blake Rankin.

"It's a prestigious position to be in when you're trying to emulate somebody who plays at the kind of level that Derek Carr does," Flood said. "I think our players enjoy that kind of challenge."

* * *

Flood on practice today:

"I'm really, really pleased at the leadership of the team that took over practice today. It's something I had challenged them to do and I think that's really important. If it's always coming from the coaching staff I think your ceiling is limited. When it's coming from the players I think your ceiling is unlimited in terms of what your able to do with a team and during a season."